Going Alone

Boom! "They're fighting again?"

"That Fire Fist Ace?"

In the sky, the Hell Pirates, who hadn't flown far, heard the commotion coming from the ground behind them and looked over one after another.

Crimson flames shot into the sky, accompanied by a terrifying sandstorm.

"Unfortunately... our one has already fallen."

Dom scoffed.

Enel's original opponent was Ace... but before the real Ace even appeared, he was given a good lesson by the Straw Hat.

"After this battle, he should have changed, right?"

"Dorans chimed in."

"Not necessarily."

Dom uttered two words.

Oboro did not participate in the discussion.

Luffy won't die so easily; after all, he's the protagonist of this world... Ace's timely appearance is most likely driven by the will of the world. If he Luffy, perhaps for some reason, Crocodile would team up with Ace to deal with him.

However, even so... Oboro is still confident that he can kill Luffy.

The reason he's not acting now is simple... the system's ability to extract a target is based on the opponent's current strength. If he kills Luffy now, the most important skill card he'll get is... the initial stage of the Gum-Gum Fruit, which is far inferior to the later Nika Fruit.

This is very similar to the principle that Hisoka, the fruit farmer, has always adhered to: waiting for the fruit to ripen before picking it and tasting its 'deliciousness'.

For him, deliciousness meant resources.

For Hisoka, it was 'excitement' and a sense of novelty.

As a Shichibukai, Crocodile should report the current situation in Albatron to the Navy, especially the movements of his group. However, given Crocodile's covetousness of Pluton and the Nefertari Family, he certainly doesn't want the World Government to discover his secrets.

Therefore, the only option is to keep quiet.

The group of Oboro did not return to Alubarna.

Instead, they simply found a place to settle down in the desert.

During their journey, they went to a town and found a doctor who treated Enel other two.

However, due to the severity of the injury and limited resources, the doctors could only perform superficial treatment.

However, the three of them are not seriously injured and will definitely wake up, at least they will need to rest for a while.

During this time, Dom also kept going out to inquire about information.

The battle between Ace and Crocodile seems to have ended without a conclusion.

As for the Straw Hat Pirates... they accepted Lily's invitation and quietly moved into the royal palace.

Because of Enel's actions, the Hell Pirates have definitely incurred the wrath of the Straw Hat Pirates crew.

Battles will inevitably occur in the future.

Time passed slowly, and a few nights later...

The group sat around the campfire, and Enel, who was covered with a blanket, finally opened his eyes.

The atmosphere within the group was somewhat eerie; everyone was very quiet.

Enel straightened up, looked around, and then assessed his own condition... his face remained expressionless.

"Didn't get angry?"

Kaka and Dorans exchanged a glance; they had expected Enel to 'jump up' the moment he woke up.

Now... unusually calm.

"That Straw Hat has already left with his men... The one who saved you was Dom. Do you still think they were useless?" Oboro asked calmly, poking at the fuel in the campfire with a twig in his hand, sending sparks flying.

"Them" here refers to all members of the Hell Pirates except for himself.

Undeniably, Enel's strength surpassed that of everyone present except himself... Therefore, there was a reason why he looked down on Dom and the others.

"I'm going to find him."

Enel threw off the blanket and got up to leave.

He was referring to Luffy.

Clearly, Enel believed he wouldn't repeat the same mistake if he faced the Straw Hat again.

He figured some things out.

"Focus on recovering from your injuries... Your real opponent isn't him yet."

"Long reminded me."

If Enel were to fight Luffy again, his chances of winning would be extremely high.

Because of his abilities, there are many ways to kill Luffy. Just like he said before, he can use his power to distract other Straw Hat Pirates members, threaten them, and slowly wear Luffy down. As long as he doesn't confront them head-on, it shouldn't be a problem.

This is the importance of experience... Enel also realized his carelessness and negligence in this battle.

I guess you could call it growing up...

A crackling sound, followed by a flash of electricity.

Enel disappeared.

"He..."

Dom was annoyed; he didn't expect Enel to thank him, as that kind of guy never had a grateful heart.

But instead of listening to the captain, he still wants to go find the Straw Hat?

It's no different from sending them to their deaths! Oboro has already told them about the relationship between Ace and Monkey D. Luffy. With Fire Fist Ace around, it's hard for anyone to hurt the Straw Hats... Besides, Ace can't leave their side until the injured members of the Straw Hat Pirates have recovered.

"He didn't go to find Luffy; he just needed a secluded place to think things through."

Long continued.

Enel's demeanor upon waking up appeared calm, but in reality, he was undoubtedly experiencing a mix of emotions, having mentally strategized countless times in those one or two minutes. He simply held back out of pride.

Oboro saw it clearly: at the last moment of the battle, Enel was afraid.

He has always been the one who instills fear in others.

When this 'emotion' arises within him... it causes Enel, who has always been aloof, to crumble and develop inner rifts.

This battle had a significant impact on him.

Lonely intervention and the butterfly effect undoubtedly created a series of chain reactions in Alabasta.

Ace and the Straw Hat Pirates were stuck in Alubarna even longer.

This could also delay the time when Ace and Blackbeard meet in the future... and the location where he is defeated and captured by Marshall D. Teach might also change.

However, the impact is not expected to be too great, Marshall D. Teach can still become a Shichibukai.

The main point is that Ace is very Resolve to capture Marshall D. Teach.

They will not give up until they find Blackbeard.

This also includes the timeline of Crocodile's 'failure'.

More than half a month after Enel's battle with Luffy.

It is also located in a desert.

Dressed like a cowboy, Ace rode a camel to the agreed-upon location.

Luffy and his crew are almost fully recovered, so there's no need to worry for now... Regarding Luffy's desire to defeat Crocodile, Ace only offered a reminder, not dissuading him. He understands Luffy's personality... and besides, this is the Luffy chose himself, a necessary 'growth' process for the Straw Hat Pirates; Ace showed his younger brother ample respect. Compared to Crocodile, Ace believed the Hell Pirates were currently in greater danger.

It is no exaggeration to say that the danger level of the God Slayer is no less than that of the Yonko.

Especially after the death of the Shiki... Marco, on behalf of his father, called him.

The implication was that he should avoid the 'God Slayer', since the Hell Pirates were also active in the first half of the Grand Line, and they were very likely to run into him.

But sometimes, fate is just that 'clever'.

The Hell Pirates seem to have their eyes on Luffy. For his brother's sake, and to find Marshall D. Teach... Ace must step forward.

He came after learning about the rumors spread by the Hell Pirates.

Alone, he came to see the God Slayer.

Ace sensed a conspiracy... the other party was waiting for him to take the bait, and they were also eyeing him.

But he cannot back down.

He didn't tell his father or his Whitebeard Pirates about this.

No matter what happens... Ace is prepared.